Ever wondered if paying more for Microsoft Office Professional means you get more? It’s important to know how the different editions meet various needs. Microsoft Office 2021 comes in Home and Business, and Professional versions. Let’s look at all Microsoft Office versions and what each offers to help you choose the right one.
Understanding Microsoft Office 2021 Editions
Microsoft Office 2021 editions are made for different user needs. They are key to understanding the Microsoft Office 2021 overview. Each edition meets the needs of various users, from home users to big companies. Office Home and Business is for small businesses, offering Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. It’s licensed per device, great for places where many people use one computer.
Office Professional is for businesses with more complex needs. It includes tools like Access for managing databases and Publisher for desktop publishing. Knowing the features and prices of these editions helps businesses boost productivity.
Microsoft Office 2021 is used by about 45% of businesses for productivity tools. Each edition has features that help users, and buying it once means no ongoing subscription fees.
| Edition | Price | Includes Applications | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office Home and Business | $249.99 | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook | Small businesses |
| Office Professional | $439.99 | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher, Access | Larger businesses |
Key Features of Microsoft Office Home and Business
Microsoft Office Home and Business is made for home users and small businesses. It comes with important tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook. These tools help with tasks such as writing documents, analyzing spreadsheets, making presentations, and sending emails.
This version is great for small business owners. You pay once and don’t have to pay more, which saves money. It lets you install the software on three computers in one household, helping family members or business teams work together.
Even though it doesn’t have the latest updates, it does get security updates. This keeps your work safe. If you choose Microsoft 365, you also get 1 TB of cloud storage. This lets you work on your files from any device, making things more efficient.
Key Features of Microsoft Office Professional 2021
Microsoft Office Professional 2021 is packed with features that make it a must-have for professionals. It includes all the apps from Microsoft Office Home and Business like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook. It also adds Publisher and Access, which are powerful tools for marketing and managing data.
Publisher helps users make marketing materials. Access is great for managing complex data. These tools are a big help for professionals in many fields. They make work easier and boost productivity.
You can install Office Professional on up to two devices. This is great for professionals who need to work on different devices. The suite is made to improve performance and help teams work better together.
What is the difference between Microsoft Office Home and Business and Professional
Microsoft Office Home and Business 2021 and Professional 2021 differ mainly in what apps they include and how you can use them. It’s important to know these differences if you’re picking the right version for your needs.
Applications Included in Each Edition
Office Home and Business 2021 has a great set of apps for personal and small business use. You get Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook. These apps meet basic needs well.
Office Professional apps add Publisher and Access to the mix. These are great for businesses needing more tools for design and managing databases. They help with tasks that big companies often face.
Licensing and Usage Differences
The way you can use these editions is quite different. Office Home and Business 2021 lets you use it for business, making it good for small businesses. It helps users manage tasks well in a business setting.
The Professional edition also allows commercial use and is great for those needing more features. It’s key to understand the licensing to follow Microsoft’s rules and use it right in your work.
Installation and Device Compatibility
When buying Microsoft Office, it’s key to know the installation process. The Home and Business or Professional editions are for one-time purchase. They work on a single PC or Mac. Make sure to check device compatibility before you buy, as these editions don’t work on multiple devices like Microsoft 365 does.
Installing Office on PCs and Macs needs certain system specs. Office 2021 Professional Plus needs a 1.6 GHz, 2-core processor, 2 GB RAM, and 4 GB hard disk space. You also need Windows 10 or Windows 11, internet, and a Microsoft account for setup.
Office 2021 editions store data locally, unlike Microsoft 365’s cloud solutions. Office Home and Business comes with 1 TB of OneDrive storage. But, the Microsoft 365 Family plan offers up to 6 TB, which might be better for those needing more cloud space.
Choosing the right edition depends on your needs and device choices. Both editions offer strong productivity tools. Yet, their limits in device compatibility and installation might push some towards the more flexible Microsoft 365 subscription.
Cost Comparison Between Home and Business vs. Professional
It’s important for businesses and individuals to understand the costs of Microsoft Office versions. The different pricing models cater to various needs. This includes looking at the differences between Home and Business editions and Professional versions.
One-time Purchase vs. Subscription Model
Microsoft Office pricing changes a lot between one-time purchases and subscription services like Office 365. The Home and Business version costs $250 for a one-time buy. This includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Office Professional costs $440 for a one-time buy. It offers more apps like Access and Publisher, great for businesses.
For subscription-based Office 365, the personal plan costs $70 a year for use on many devices. The Family plan at $100 a year supports up to six users. Office 365 subscriptions bring regular updates and cloud features. These are great for teams and businesses.
Choosing between one-time purchases and subscription-based Office 365 is easier when you look at the costs. One-time purchases need a big upfront payment but don’t have ongoing costs. This makes them good for long-term use.
On the other hand, Office 365 subscriptions cost more over time but offer updates and cloud features. These can greatly improve productivity for both people and companies.
| Office Version | One-time Purchase Price | Subscription Price (Annual) | Applications Included | Usage Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office Home & Student 2021 | $150 | N/A | Word, Excel, PowerPoint | Home Use Only |
| Office Home & Business 2021 | $250 | N/A | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook | Commercial Use |
| Office Professional 2021 | $440 | N/A | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, Publisher | Commercial Use |
| Microsoft 365 Personal | N/A | $70 | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote | Personal Use |
| Microsoft 365 Family | N/A | $100 | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote | Shared Use |
Collaboration and Cloud Features
Microsoft Office Home and Business, along with Professional editions, provide basic productivity tools. However, they don’t have advanced Microsoft Office cloud features needed for today’s dynamic work environments. For instance, they don’t offer real-time document collaboration or large cloud storage like Microsoft 365 subscriptions do.
Microsoft 365 lets users work on documents together in real time. This is key for teams working remotely. Without these tools in Home and Business editions, teams might struggle with sharing documents in old ways.
Microsoft 365 has many features for easy collaboration, like Microsoft Teams for talking and SharePoint for sharing documents. Without these, users might find it hard to work together well. Plus, Microsoft 365’s updates and cloud support make it better for users, setting a new bar for productivity.
Who Should Choose Each Edition?
Choosing a Microsoft Office edition depends on what you need and what you want to achieve. The Home and Business edition is perfect for small business owners and freelancers. It gives you basic productivity tools and lets you manage emails well with Outlook. It’s a great deal for both personal and business use, offering lots of value without costing too much.
The Professional edition is for those needing advanced features like managing databases and doing complex data analysis. It comes with tools like Publisher and Access, ideal for medium-sized companies or heavy content creators. It’s important to think about what features you really need to make sure you pick the right edition for your goals.
Both the Office Home and Business and Professional editions cater to different needs. Think about your business size, how often you work with others, and the type of tasks you do most. Choosing the right edition helps you work more efficiently and effectively.
FAQs
What is the main difference between Microsoft Office Home and Business and Microsoft Office Professional 2021?
The main difference is in the software included. Microsoft Office Home and Business has basic tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook. It meets the needs of everyday users. On the other hand, Office Professional includes Publisher and Access for more advanced tasks. This makes it better for businesses needing complex features.
Are both editions available for one-time purchase?
Yes, you can buy Microsoft Office Home and Business, as well as Office Professional, upfront. This means paying once and not having to pay subscription fees later. It’s great for those who want to use the software for a long time without ongoing costs.
Can I install Microsoft Office 2021 on multiple devices?
No, Microsoft Office 2021, in both Home and Business editions, is for one PC or Mac only. If you need to use it on more devices, consider Microsoft 365. It lets you install it on several devices.
Is Microsoft Office Home and Business suitable for commercial use?
Yes, Microsoft Office Home and Business is great for businesses and freelancers. It’s licensed for commercial use and includes essential productivity tools for business needs.
Do the Home and Business and Professional editions support real-time collaboration?
No, these editions don’t have the advanced collaboration tools or cloud features of Microsoft 365. Users will have to use traditional ways to share documents and manage files. This might limit how well they can work together.
How does the pricing of Office Home and Business compare to Office Professional?
Office Home and Business is usually cheaper than Office Professional. This is because Office Professional has more features and applications. Yet, both are one-time purchases. This makes them a good deal for users who don’t want to pay subscription fees.
Who should consider purchasing Microsoft Office Professional 2021?
Office Professional is best for those needing advanced tools like desktop publishing and database management. It’s perfect for businesses with complex data and publishing needs. It gives them the tools to improve their business operations.
